10 Surprising Facts about Asia that will Blow your mind
10 Surprising Facts about Asia that will Blow your mind
Number 10. Indonesia is the world’s fourth most populous country.
And finally on our list of surprising facts about Asia – did you know that Indonesia follows China, India and the US, to claim the world’s fourth-largest population? The area of the country’s total landmass is around three times the size of Texas, and is made up of thousands of islands of varying size, which span an area of over 5,000 kilometers from east to west. This enormous scale has produced a nation of highly diverse cultures, with different customs and traditions from island to island.
Number 9.the world’s smallest mammal
Western Thailand is home to the Kitti’s hog-nosed bat, also known as the bumblebee bat, which is regarded by some as the world’s smallest mammal. These tiny bats give birth to one offspring annually, and typically live as part of a colony of a 100 or so, usually in caves. Despite their ‘threatened’ status, the species was discovered in Burma in 2001,
Number 8. South East Asia is home to the world’s largest flower.
How many flower-based facts about Asia do you know? Not so many? Well, here’s one to remember… The Rafflesia, found growing on the forest floors of Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia, produces huge flowers of up to a meter across. Their distinctive shape and size have earned them an emblematic status, and the Rafflesia has been adopted as Indonesia’s official state flower.
Number 7. Japan has produced 22 Nobel Laureates.
That’s more per capita than any other Asian country! Japan has long enjoyed a proud reputation as a technological, cultural and artistic powerhouse, which started long before the country’s first Nobel Prize was won by Hideki Yukawa in 1949.
Yukawa worked at Kyoto Imperial University as a theoretical physicist. He won the Nobel Prize for his work on subatomic particles,
Number 6. There are more than 150 volcanoes in Indonesia.
Indonesia is located on the boundary of the pacific plate – an area known as the ‘Ring of Fire’. With 127 of the country’s volcanoes currently active, it’s easy to see how it got this name!
Indonesia’s most active volcano is Mount Merapi
Number 5. South Korea has a separate Valentine’s Day for single people.
In many Western cultures, Valentine’s Day (14 February) tends to be dominated by loved-up couples who buy each other gifts. But in South Korea, the celebration is slightly different. February 14th is just one of 12 ‘love days’, which are celebrated on the 14th of each month.
In South Korea, February’s Valentine’s Day sees women give chocolates to men as a sign of affection. A month later, on 14 March, White Day is celebrated, when men traditionally reciprocate with another gift.
Number 4. China produces 45 billion pairs of chopsticks each year.
OK, so there are a lot of people in China – but that’s still a pretty large number! In addition to the nation’s own chopstick production industry, some Chinese restaurants now import chopsticks made by US producers, who often use a lighter wood that doesn’t need to be bleached.
Number 3. Hong Kong means ‘fragrant harbor’.
This might be even more of a surprising fact for anyone who’s visited the modern-day city! Hong Kong’s transition from a colonial outpost to a busy port, and finally the global financial center it is today, may have replaced its previously pleasant scent with more industrial, modern city aromas… but it nevertheless remains a popular study abroad destination among those looking to study in Asia.
With its unique history and culture, ‘Asia’s world city’ is ranked as the world’s number five city for students in the QS Best Student Cities 2015 – it is Asia’s highest ranking entry.
Number 2. There are over 1,600 temples in Kyoto, Japan.
Are you hoping to study in Japan? Be sure to check out ancient Kyoto, which was the country’s imperial capital for more than a thousand years. Kyoto is home to 1.5 million people, who live alongside the city’s many heritage sites and historical buildings.
The ‘Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto’ are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with the Kennin-ji temple often regarded as the oldest temple. It was built in 1202 CE, and is home to the final resting place of Eisai, the monk who is thought to have brought Zen Buddhism to Japan.
Number 1. Singapore has a building inspired by a Star Wars robot.
Yes, you heard that right. It wasn’t just a nerdy architect having a laugh, either. ‘The Sandcrawler’, which was named after its on-screen counterpart, looks similarly ready to shudder across the sands of Tatooine in search of droids for scrap.
First opened in 2013, the building now houses Lucasfilm Ltd.’s Asia offices, and is a ‘state-of-the-art complex housing animation offices and ILM Singapore.’ If you’re a Star Wars fan, this could be another great reason for you to study abroad in Singapore – your chance to see the mighty Sandcrawler in person!